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A reflex punching bag is an alternative type of boxing bag to the traditional heavy punching bag that offers its own unique benefits to whoever uses them. Whether you are a serious boxer and fighter or someone who just wants to try a different piece of equipment to help you stay in shape, a reflex bag would be an excellent addition to your workout routine.
This article will help you understand the advantages of using a reflex bag and point out what factors you should consider in order to make an informed decision on which reflex bag to purchase if you feel like you might be up for it.
Who needs a Reflex Punching Bag?
A reflex punching bag is a staple piece of equipment in any boxing gym around the world. One of the key elements of a boxer’s skill set is their reflex and reaction times. It is to no surprise that a punching bag has been specifically made to try and hone these skills as you will most certainly need them in the ring.
If you are an aspiring boxer or fighter then it is highly likely that you will need a reflex punching bag in order to reach your full potential and hone a key still that you will rely on to elevate you in the sport. Alternatively, if you are just looking to get in shape or try a new piece of equipment to shake up your typical exercise regiment then a reflex punching bag is a fun way to do that.
There are numerous benefits in using a reflex punching bag such as the improvement of your precision, muscle memory and of course reflexes. These skills are vital because it teaches you how to swerve and evade the opponent’s punches. You can also use a reflex punching bag for learning how to counterpunch and throw combinations when boxing on the inside and ducking hits.
This is because a reflex bag is great at simulating the movement of a real fighter. It is important to train your upper body muscles to get used to these types of movements in order for it to become second nature. An extra bonus of using a reflex punching bag is that you don’t need anyone to train with and can pretty much use this piece of equipment at home.
Ultimately a reflex punching bag is not just for those who are taking boxing or fighting seriously, it can be used as a fun tool for those looking to improve their cardiovascular fitness. It is very tiring to constantly bob and weave whilst simultaneously punching the fast-moving reflex bag, making it great for exercise.
What are the buying criteria for a Reflex Punching Bag?
There are several different factors that you should consider when purchasing a reflex punching bag as some are of way better quality than others. This could significantly impact the effectiveness of your training so it is important to know what to look for.
The first factor you should consider is the ability to adjust the height of the reflex punching bag. Now, this might seem such a trivial issue but due to the fact that reflex bags are standalone, it can be a big issue if you are shorter or taller than average height. Therefore, it is vitally important that the product has solid adjustability features so that it can be tailored for everyone regardless of height.
Another criterion that you should consider is the stability of the base. To get the full benefits of using a reflex punching bag, you need to make sure that you’re able to hit the bag and then it rebounds without toppling over. A good product will make sure that this does not happen, however if you do find yourself in this situation a good tip would be to firm up the base with sand or water, although that could slow the reflex bag down.
Lastly, it is important that the quality of the materials used to make the reflex punching bag are durable and long lasting so that it can sustain repetitive hits. Usually the better-quality bags are covered in leather and have a stand that is made out of steel.
By now you must be wondering, what are the best reflex punching bags available?
Everlast Hyperflex Strike Bag
Our first pick has to be Everlast’s Hyperflex Strike Bag. Everlast are world-renowned in the industry for making punching bags of the highest quality and they certainly do not fall short here.
To begin with, this reflex punching bag comes with individual locking springs which mean that you can train on three different workout settings – speed flex, straight flex and the coveted hyper flex option. There are slight nuances between each setting but they all give you the ability to improve your reflexes, reaction times, footwork and agility.
What we like most about this reflex bag is that it is one of the bigger ones out there so it can be used to emphasize real technique. The bag is filled with high-density foam which will make your training sessions more demanding.
All in all, we consider this reflex punching bag to be one of, if not, the best reflex bags on the market. Check the price on Amazon.
MaxxMMA Advanced Cobra Reflex Bag Kit 2.0
Next up, we have the MaxxMMA Advanced Cobra Reflex Bag Kit 2.0. Yet again this reflex punching bag is made by such a reputable company who always produce top quality products for their customers. If you are looking for something that is easy to set up and want to get started right away, then this option is for you. The kit includes a quality pair of gloves.
The advanced model comes with two different size bags, just so that you can spice up your workout routine if you want, making it the perfect tool to improve your punching accuracy and overall fitness. In addition to this, the reflex punching bag has great adjustability features, it can be adjusted between 52-65 inches and so it is suitable for most people.
We like the fact the core weight bag provides extra stability and can almost function as a normal punching bag. It also has steel rod construction with high-grade PU bags with inner bladder design to add to the durability.
If you choose this reflex punching bag you will not be disappointed. Check the price on Amazon.
SPARBAR PRO 3.0 Classic Edition
Moving on, we have the Sparbar Pro 3.0 Classic Edition. This reflex punching bag is supposedly used by many professional fighters such as Anthony Joshua.
What sets this reflex punching bag from its competition is the cylindrical performance bearings that ensure a high radial speed rotation that gives you the ultimate training experience. To make sure that the bag is durable and sturdy, twin-needle stitching is applied throughout and provides the highest level of quality.
What we like most about this product is that it comes with all of the necessary equipment to set it up right away. It is easy to assemble and can easily be used at home. There is a 12-month warranty for the moving parts of the product and a 3-year warranty on all the fixed parts so that if anything happens you can get it replaced.
This reflex punching bag is a respectable choice and is ideal for those who want to get training immediately. Check the price on Amazon.
Boxing Reflex Ball Set (Best Cheap / Value)
Last but not least, we have the value pick. The Boxing Reflex Ball Set is the best bang for your buck at this price range on the market. Despite it being relatively cheap, it still has all the qualities of a great reflex ball.
This reflex ball set has 4 different difficulty levels. Your skill set should determine which level you choose to use, but as you get more comfortable and start honing your skills then you can move up levels to further test yourself. The set is easily portable so you can use this reflex ball kit anywhere.
Just like a regular reflex punching bag, using this gear regularly will help you train your reaction time, reflexes, and punching speed. It will also improve your fitness and hand-eye coordination skills.
We recommend this product more for those who are more casual about their boxing and fighting training. It is a great reflex ball set that will definitely engage people new to the sport and training. Check the price on Amazon.
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Conclusion
Overall, we believe that all of the reflex punching bags and ball set that we have recommended are the best in the industry. However, if we had to pick one bag that we consider to be the best reflex punching bag then we no doubt choose the Hyperflex Strike Bag by Everlast. Once again Everlast has created a product of the highest quality. For example, the three different locking springs that come with the reflex bag allows you to train in multiple different ways and that is why we believe it to be the best.
